Disney is a huge conglomerate with stakes in every genre of films and shows. The House of Mouse has established itself in genres such as sci-fi with Star Wars, animation with Pixar and Disney Animation, and the superhero genre with Marvel. The company also acquired Fox Studios, thus owning the Avatar franchise as well.
While Disney has been the parent company of these studios, they largely operate on their own. Hence, when Kung Fu Panda 4 director Mike Mitchell was asked if his Kurt Russell starring superhero film Sky High would get a sequel, he mentioned that it would make more sense for Marvel to take over and develop the film as Disney wanted Marvel to be in charge of superheroes.
Will Disney Make A Sequel For The Kurt Russell Starrer Sky High?
In 2005, Disney produced the superhero comedy film Sky High, which starred Michael Angarano, Kelly Preston, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Kurt Russell. The film follows the story of the son of a superhero couple who has to navigate a high school for teen superheroes when he begins to develop his abilities. Directed by Mike Mitchell, the show developed a cult following for its unique spin on the superhero genre.
Years ago when Mike Mitchell was promoting his directorial The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, he was asked about the fan-favorite Disney comedy and its potential future. Though the film was not a huge hit, earning $86 million against a $35 million budget, Mitchell revealed his plans for a sequel and the franchise in case he got the chance. He said to io9,
“I am hugely proud of it and they should make it a franchise. In fact, the same writers that didn’t get credit on it, [Jonathan] Aibel and [Glenn] Berger, they did a lot of writing on that film, and we have a whole sequel that’s called Save U [which stands for] Save University.”
While the sequel was never commissioned, Mike Mitchell recently mentioned that Marvel President Kevin Feige was a fan of the film and Micthell mentioned that his team was appreciative of their effort as they honored the comic books instead of spoofing it.
Mitchell mentioned to Comic Book that he was up for Marvel to take over and produce the sequel as Disney wanted only Marvel to handle the superhero genre in their company. He said,
“I know that Kevin Feig or Kevin Feige is a huge Sky High fan. Right when it came out, he met with me and we talked about it….so, the trick is this: That was not made under Marvel. That was before they [Disney] bought Marvel…If we could pull Kevin into it. And, we could get Disney to…. Disney’s so scared of Marvel. Only Marvel can do superhero films. To which, I say, ‘Great!’ Let’s have Marvel do Sky High! That would be fun. So, I’m ready to go.”
Mike Mitchell went on to say that it was Disney’s decision to take over the franchise and hand it over to Marvel.
Fans Want A TV Show Based On Disney’s Sky High Instead Of A Marvel-Made Sequel
The early 2000s superhero comedy Sky High developed a cult following upon release and fans have been clamoring for a sequel. While Mike Mitchell was up for Marvel taking over the Disney film and making a sequel, fans seemed to have a better idea. Fans of the film mentioned that instead of a sequel, a limited series could be developed.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) had a slate of ideas for the TV show and even urged Disney to greenlight it.
a live action tv series,
— 怪獣 (@endosymulation) March 7, 2024
at least 12 episodes、
would feed families
I want FX/Disney+ Sky High series with the same actors dealing with the trauma of a super hero life. Ala Gross Point Blank and Daredevil. A limited series. Everyone goes for Emmys. Make it happen Mouse
— Leo (@ThePIPinSD) March 7, 2024
Sky high needs to be mcu canon it’s time
— Waffy ᯅ (@WaffyonYT) March 7, 2024
Sky High would become a Canon Welding to Marvel Universe I hope Disney would bring back Condorman a very Obscure Disney Superhero Film and 90s classic the Rocketeer before they buy Marvel in 2009.
— Mason Bill (@MasonBill310) March 6, 2024
That would be cool if Sky High did a crossover with The Avengers, The Incredibles, and Big Hero 6.
— Josh Smith (@JoshSmi42067257) March 7, 2024
They should do sky high : legacy .
— Mayur Dige (@lost_boy_may) March 7, 2024
Mike Mitchell also mentioned that they had plans to turn Sky High into a franchise with a TV show. He mentioned that many of the actors from the original had signed on to the show except for Kurt Russell and the late Kelly Preston. He said to i09,
“That was going to be Disney’s plan. But what happened was, when it came out, it was kind of an underdog that no one knew about. [Also] it came out against Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Tim Burton-Johnny Depp one, and then no one knew that March of the Penguins, a documentary, [would become] the hugest family film of all time.”
Mike Mitchell went on to say that he was grateful for the acceptance the Disney film received among comic book fans as they were not usually receptive to comedies based on the superhero genre. He said how films such as Mystery Men and My Super Ex-Girlfriend did not fare well with comic book fans as they were parodies.
